Real Estate Investing in San Luis Obispo, California (93405)

Everything the listing leaves out — vacancy, rent trend, cap rate, landlord climate. All free.

San Luis Obispo County • Population: 23,856 • Data updated: September 2026

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Should you buy in 93405 (San Luis Obispo, CA)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
CAUTION
Grade D (42/100)

Proceed carefully. Weak appreciation or affordability makes this a harder case for most buyers.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
3 flags
  • Elevated vacancy: 10.6% vacancy may signal weakening demand.
  • Tenant-protective state: Landlord rating 1.0/5 — slower evictions, more regulations.
  • High price-to-rent: Price-to-rent ratio 27.3 — hard to cash-flow at these prices.

What’s happening in San Luis Obispo, CA (93405)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $1,100,384
Avg Monthly Rent $3,361
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $48,388
% Renters 66.9%

Market Analysis: 93405 San Luis Obispo

The 93405 ZIP in San Luis Obispo, CA is a local-operator market. Outside capital chasing a $1.1M entry has to pair deep knowledge with the discount.

If the plan assumes clean turnover, on-time rent, and low maintenance on a $1.1M asset, 93405 is the wrong submarket. If the plan prices in friction, the yield can still work.

ZIP 93405's metrics run below San Luis Obispo County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

From an investor standpoint, 23,856 residents fill the ZIP, renter turnover runs higher than neighboring postal codes and delinquency risk is a real line item rather than a theoretical one.

The 93405 ZIP fits a narrow investor profile — hands-on, patient, and willing to accept that the cap rate on paper is not the cap rate in reality.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.76% as of Sep 10 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in San Luis Obispo:

C Below Average
Buy Confidence Score: 58/100
Affordability
0/25
Appreciation
22/25
Stability
13/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Expensive
Homes cost 22.7× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+5.8%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $3,361/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: This market may be challenging for buyers. Consider your timing and budget carefully.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
48 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.5%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of August 29, 2026 — updated weekly from San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 93405

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
2.6% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
5BR
+7.9% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$293,830/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $774,292 $2,750 2.6% +6.5% $387,146
3BR $1,042,923 $3,690 2.5% +7.2% $347,641
4BR $1,243,351 $4,230 2.4% +7.7% $310,838
5BR $1,469,152 +7.9% $293,830

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$1.2M$995K$834K$673K$512K$350KJul 2006Jul 2016Jul 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

$4,220$3,715$3,210$2,705$2,200$1,695Nov 2022Sep 2024Jul 2026

📊 How Does 93405 Compare?

Metric 93405 San Luis Obispo San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA California
Home Value $1,100,384 $366,144 N/A $761,003
5-Year CAGR 5.8% 5.7% N/A 5.7%
Avg Rent $3,361 $3,107 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.4% 2.2% - -
💡 Why Invest in 93405? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

67% of households rent in this area, creating consistent tenant demand for landlords.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 93405 (San Luis Obispo, CA). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Property managers serving San Luis Obispo County

Manage rentals here? List your business →

Academe Real Estate & Property Management is led by Fred Dotterrer in Atascadero, CA. summary from their website

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California Property Services offers property management services. summary from their website

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Nipomo Property Management offers property management services, listings, market analysis, and resources for buyers, sellers, and homeowners. summary from their website

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Listings are shown for convenience — Repit doesn’t endorse or vet these companies. Ratings shown come only from email-verified visitors.

Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.4%
Low
5yr Growth
+5.8%
Moderate

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $1,100,384
Monthly Rent $3,361
Price-to-Rent 27.3:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 3.7%
Cap Rate 2.4%
5-Year IRR 8.2%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +5.8% ▲
3-Year CAGR +4.5% ▲
5-Year CAGR +5.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +6.0% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year +24.1% ▲
3-Year CAGR +13.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.4%  |  30yr Rate: 6.8%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.8%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.4%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
10.6%
Moderate risk
Landlord Climate
1.0/5
Protective
Value Trend (5yr)
+5.8%
Stable
Eviction process: Very Slow Rent control: Unfavorable

Demographics in 93405

Population: 23,856

💰 Median Household Income
$48,388
This area
$48,388
State
$94,164
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
66.9%
This area
66.9%
State
39.3%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
5.9%
This area
5.9%
State
-16.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
50.3%
This area
50.3%
State
7.7%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
22.7 years
This area
22.7 years
State
9.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
10.6%
This area
10.6%
State
15.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 79.9%
Other/Mixed 12.8%
Hispanic/Latino 6.9%
Asian 6.6%
Black/African American 0.7%
👶 Under 18
6.9%
This area
6.9%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
10.8%
This area
10.8%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
8.8%
This area
8.8%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 93405

B Avg School Grade
11 Schools
18.5:1 Avg Class Size
$97,911 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

C L Smith Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
484 Students
👨‍🏫
22.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
A Very Good

Grizzly ChalleNGe Charter

📚 10 – 12 High School Charter
👥
225 Students
👨‍🏫
15.2:1 Class Size
💰
$234,023 Per Student
B+ Above Average
👥
20 Students
👨‍🏫
5.1:1 Class Size
💰
$234,023 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Laguna Middle

📚 07 – 08 Middle
👥
845 Students
👨‍🏫
20.7:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
B+ Above Average

San Luis Obispo County Juvenile Court

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
16 Students
👨‍🏫
8.0:1 Class Size
💰
$234,023 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Bishop's Peak Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
368 Students
👨‍🏫
23.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Pacheco Elementary

📚 K – 06 School
👥
485 Students
👨‍🏫
24.3:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
B Good

Pacific Beach High

📚 10 – 12 High School
👥
67 Students
👨‍🏫
15.8:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
C+ Average

San Luis Obispo County Community

📚 06 – 12 High School
👥
73 Students
👨‍🏫
18.2:1 Class Size
💰
$234,023 Per Student
C+ Average

Teach Elementary

📚 04 – 06 School
👥
168 Students
👨‍🏫
28.0:1 Class Size
💰
$21,630 Per Student
C Below Average

Bellevue-Santa Fe Charter

📚 K – 06 School Charter
👥
164 Students
👨‍🏫
23.4:1 Class Size
💰
$11,151 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

5 Nearby 7,829 Off-Campus Students
C
Cuesta College
10,437 students · 2.6 mi
C
Laurus College
794 students · 3.8 mi
B+
California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
22,485 students · 3.9 mi
C+
Central California School of Continuing Education
72 students · 5.0 mi
D
San Joaquin Valley College-Atascadero
20 students · 12.8 mi

Investor Insight: With 7,829 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does San Luis Obispo, CA rate as a rental market?

San Luis Obispo, CA rates 3.0/5 for investability. With median values at $1.1M and rents near $3,361/mo, the market offers reasonable fundamentals for rental investors.

What is the average monthly rent in San Luis Obispo, CA?

Rent in San Luis Obispo, CA is around $3,361/mo. The resulting rent-to-value relationship with $1.1M pricing is reasonable for most investor models.

Is San Luis Obispo, CA good for landlords?

San Luis Obispo, CA falls under CA landlord-tenant law, which is tenant-protective. That backdrop makes day-to-day property management reasonable.

What is the typical vacancy rate in San Luis Obispo, CA?

Occupancy in San Luis Obispo, CA runs predictable with elevated vacancy. Well-priced units at $3,361/mo lease on reasonable timelines.

Which investment style suits San Luis Obispo, CA?

A careful cash-flow rentals with hands-on management strategy San Luis Obispo, CA best. The market produces even-keeled results for that approach at the $1.1M price point.

You know 93405 now. You don’t know where it ranks.

This page stays free — all of it. What one page can’t tell you is how 93405 compares to every other market. Investor ($19/mo) screens every U.S. ZIP by cap rate, the 1% rule, vacancy and landlord climate, and exports your shortlist.

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How 93405 ranks in San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA

Every ZIP in this metro, ranked. Free.

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